St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1887-04-17

in gold embroidered raiment and require
our passport TO the realms of social bliss. l
give card six inches square, on which my
name is writ large" and it is received in
deferential silence. [ sweep my robes along
the gallery through the ballroom, with its
scarlet and gold. all deserted, and then into
the first state draWlng-r0Om, which looks
out with row of stately windows into the
palace gardens. Here stand about one hun
dred women. dressed in court attire. and
fresh arrivals swell the number every
minute. Between this apartment and
the one in which the queen receives are
four state-rooms, filed with other aiadiss,
waiting to approach her majesty. zNeWcom-
ers have consequently plenty OF timebefore
them, and they compose themSelyeSsltO adj
mire and criticise the brilliant crowd. The
first impression Of bevy of women in
court costume is one of great elegance. The
uniformity in the dressing of the hair, with
ostrich plumes and wells. gives a special
character to the scene. Young girls pre-
scented for the first time look out with won
dering eyes from their masses of white tulIe
and feathers. | notice three sweet faces,
all following one majestic mother, and load
ing the air with the fragrance of three huge
bouquets of lilies.
The usual hour of waiting passed pleas
antly. The sun shone through the tall
windows. lighting up the golden heads and
flashing jewels of the crowd; while blazing
fires cheered us as doors were thrown open
by the gentlemen-at-armS, and we passed
from room to room. These singular beings,
with their brass helmets of fire brigade pat
tern, and tall. white plumes, seem q relic
of regency days, and would be more in
harmony with the boon companions Of the
Baronet of Ruddygore than with the Beef
eaters in their soft Tudor dress.
Towards o'clock we gained the room
next the queens presence. ''Now, my
dear, collect your mind and hold
your fan properly" heard a mother whis-
per to her daughter, who was confessing to
another debutante that she felt lawfully
frightened.' Still she bore up. From
this room we marched out, one by one. with
train stretched far behind us, into the royal
presence. The moment is not pleasant;
there seems so much millinery and so little
individuality. Trails and plumes have it
all their own way, and the woman is over
looked. AS one enters the thrOne-rOOm the
queen stands out conspicuous in her diamond
crown. the broad blue ribbon of the Garter
| crossing her breast. The clear voice of the
| lord chamberlain calls out ones name.
and at that instant the first
| courtesy should be made. The queen
returns each salutation kindly. though she
looks tired. By her side stands the Prin-
cess of Wales. in gray satin, with great
| diamond star over her brow. She bows
somewhat stiffiy, as if she knew her duty
and was prepared to do it. Princess Christ
| ian claims the next courtesy. and acknowl-
edges it with scant attention. Then the
Duchess of Albany in black eXcites pc
culiar interest, as she returns sweetly our
reverence. Below her stand the two young
| daughters of the Princess of Wales. whis-
pering gaily to one another, yet attentive
| to acknowledge salutations, while their
father watches over them, and CHEEKY as
ever waves the last adieu to the disappear
ing train This was the merry end Of the
royal line The ordeal is over.